Is Ice Really the Best Way to Treat Injuries? Debunking the Ice Myth

This blog post is all about injury treatment, and how ice is no longer the recommended first course of action.

Ice is best. Or is it?

I don’t know about you, but ice was always the first thing grabbed as soon as I fell over as a child. Or should I say, frozen peas. We have been told for years that ice is the best method for reducing swelling and pain, therefore improving injury status.

But is it in fact, healing the injury?

The Inflammatory Response

Quick chemistry lesson here, but bear with me. When we sustain an injury, whether it’s a rolled ankle or a cut finger, the body begins its natural healing process - the acute inflammatory response. The damaged tissues release chemical messengers which cause a few effects:

1. Local blood vessels leak fluid, causing swelling

2. These blood vessels also vasodilate, creating heat and redness

3. Pain is also produced from the initial damage and the inflammatory process itself

These effects happen for a reason, to initiate tissue recovery. The swelling brings in all the cleaners, fighters and repairers of the body into the area. The pain is necessary to let you know not to use the area as much as usual. The heat and redness are signs the body is doing its job.

So what does ice have to do with this?

Ice Prevents Our Natural Healing Process

Ice has been shown to reduce swelling and pain in an injured area. This is because it slows down our inflammatory response. Cooling the area vasoconstricts our blood vessels, thus reducing swelling, heat, redness and pain, elements of which we have just found are signs of healing.

In essence, ice slows down our natural healing process.

How About Anti-Inflammatories?

You guessed it, the same goes for anti-inflammatories. They impede our healing process, therefore potentially prolonging our recovery time.

So What is Recommended?

Do remember that ice is good for reducing swelling and pain. Let’s say you’ve rolled your ankle in the middle of a football match. You would happily prolong your natural healing process to get through the rest of the game, so ice is useful here.

But if we’re not in the middle of a competition or event (or maybe a night out wink wink), letting the body do its thing is actually the best course of action.

How Can Health Practitioners Help?

By mobilising the area, along with other techniques, health practitioners can support recovery by promoting blood flow to the area of injury. We can also encourage removal of debris and toxins through lymphatic drainage techniques.

Furthermore, we have the knowledge and tools to offer the best advice on how to optimally load the area through rehabilitation exercises, thereby getting you back to your normal activities and hobbies quicker.

Have any questions? Have an injury you’re concerned about and would like a professional take on it? Book in via the button below! We would be happy to help.

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